Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-17
GLORIES OF EARTH.
SOMETHING ABOUT VARIOUS BRAurI.
fuL PLANTS AND FLOWERS.
The Eymphsa Lilies, the Cardinal
Flower, the Chinese Lily and
Narcissus. &C.


in the small lakes of Michigan and Wis
consin may be easily grown in the yard.
You have only to sink half-barrels OF
stout tubs that will hold water. Set
them where they will get the full bene-
fit of the sun. Fill half full Of good
rich loan, covered with layer Of sand
Then plant your lilies. When grown
in tubs the white water lily must be re-
moved to O cellar before extreme cold
weather 4
The time for planting lilies is in early
autumn. The candidum is the easiest
grown and is now in bloom in many
yards. Another superb lily for all gar
dens is the Speciosum or Lancifolium.
This can be obtained in three different
colors, but the roseum is best. These
are also easily managed and multiply
rapidly An earlier lily of great beauty
and wholly hardy is the Tennifolium.
This is a delicate grower, and should
be planted in masses. It's color is in
tense dark scarlet The Auratum, or
Japan gold-banded lily, will run up
stalk three feet high covered with
flowers ten inches or more across. The
buds are often six or eight inches long.
The perfume is delicious.
The CCntury asks what can surpass
the vivid colors of the cardinal flower.
There is q glow about this flower as if
color emanated from il as from live
coal. The eye is baffled and does not
seem to reach the surface Of the petal.
1t does not see the texture or material
part as it does in other flowers, but
rests in q steady, still radiance. 1t is
not so much something colored as it IS
color itself. And then the moist, cool,
shady places it affects are usually
where it has no floral rivals, and where
the large dark shade needs just such a
dab of fire. Often, too, we see 1t dou-
BILE, its reflected image in some dark
pool heightening its effect. One may
see it about mountain spring or along
a meadow brook or growing in the
shade around the head of wild noun
tain lake. 1t stands up two feet high
or more, and the flowers show like a
broad scal set cap.
The much-talked-of Chimes lily has
been found identical with the Narcis-
sus. You can buy the latter for few
centsapiece every fall, but the "Chimes
lily" sold for twenty-five and fifty
cents.
A writer about flowers says: "Have
verbenas at all hazards; they are indis-
pensable for bouquets" Any woman
can superintend the construction Of
the verbena hot-bed. She may be con-
tent with the cheaper varieties and
still make splendid display. A
verbena-bed is real treasure,
because it will bud and bloom with
so little care. If the seed is plant
ed early in the hot-bed. nice thrifty
plants will be ready to bed out as soon
as the frost has entirely gone. You will
have a variety of lovely cOlors, and if
none of them are rare, what matter ?
You will have fragrance, which the
rare kinds do not possess, for it is a
fact that only seedlings are fragrant
If you cannot have hot-bed or cold
frame plant your seeds in cigar-boxes
and keep them dark until the seeds
germinate; then bring to sunny win
dow.
Dahlias that have been grown in pots
may be planted out until July, SO there
is even yet time to arrange for a fine
display OF varied and brilliant flow
ers-an attraction that may prove
source OF admiration and Joy to its be-
holders for months. Plants of both
double and single varieties OF the latest
styles may be had Of the florists here
and elsewhere, and those who have
taste and space for their display should
govern themselves accordingly.
Pansies like shady place. The soil
should be rather light and well-en-
riched with stable manure and phos-
phate. Fine, sweet-woods' earth greatly
improves a naturally heavy soil. Warm
weather and plenty of water are re-
quisite.
An ordinary potato will keep most
flowers fresh for two weeks or more in
a moderate temperature. The best way
is to cut Sits in the potatoes and insert
the flower stems, and fasten them with
a little cotton or paper. Potatoes may
also be used in floral decorations, being
concealed by the leaves.
The orchids of the horticultural gar
dens at La Muette, Paris, would be the
envy of American amateurs. Some have
the most wonderful leaves and flowers,
like lions The leaves OF these
grow downward and the flowers up
ward. Some of these orchids cost hun
dreds of dollars, and they are rarer
each day, as Brazil has been devastated
by collectors from North America and
England.
The dahlia is only suitable for open
air culture. 1t produces flowers of the
most perfect and beautiful form, and
of exceptionally brilliant and good
colors during the summer and autumn
months. 1t luxuriates in moist soil.
In dry weather the flowers will be finer
and the plants better by receiving q
thorough watering occasionally of an
evening. To plant it where it will
be exposed to the moist air
blown from the spray OF foun-
tain or near pond or intercourse is
to give it the most desirable location.
1t should have all the sun it can get,
butts tubers will drink as much water
as the roots of a tomato plant, which
are as thirsty as those of a willow,
though usually starved for the want Of
water. The space allowed to a dahlia
is from two and half to three feet
when You want good show flowers.
All double flowers are regarded by
botanists as monstrosities. and think
what strides the single dahlias have
made. No less authority than the
"Arnold Arboretum gives long list
worthy of cultivation, and some va
rieties are recommended for the beauty
OF their foliage and seed vessels.
The delicate corolla of the wild sweet
briar is as perfect in its cup-like form
as any buttercup. The white variety is
an especial favorits, and seems All ex-
ception to the rule that wild roses OF
northern cline are red or pink and
their southern sisters white.
The first dandelion bloom in spring
time receives as hearty a welcome as
many rarer flower later in the season.
After q cold winter, when the buds
swell and the grass begins to green,
the appearance Of the golden disk of
the dandelion on the sod brings the
promise Of whole summer OF sun
shine to witty vegetation.